Eruption Area: New Cracks in Bárðarbunga

New cracks have formed in the ice over Bárðarbunga, according to journalist and pilot Ómar Ragnarsson, who flew over the area this afternoon. According to Ómar, previous fissures also seem to be widening. Ómar likened the earthquake activity to that of the Krafla eruptions which lasted for eight years, from 1976 to 1984.

“During that period magma came to the surface nine different times, but only once to the south. But nobody knows how close we may have come to a big eruption in Bjarnarflag in those days. Therefore, it is very important not to exclude any possibility of an eruption which can lead to floods in four different rivers: Grímsvötn to the south, Kaldakvísl to the west and then down Tungná and Þjórsá, down the Skjálfandafljót river and finally to Jökulsá á Fjöllum, glacial river," Ómar said.